 |
|
|
|
ABOU BEN ADHEM Abou Ben Adhem (may his
tribe increase!) Awoke one night from a deep
dream of peace, And saw, within the
moonlight in his room, Making it rich, and like a
lily in bloom, An angel writing in a book
of gold:-- Exceeding peace had made Ben
Adhem bold, And to the presence in the
room he said, 'What writest thou?" The vision raised its head, And with a look made of all
sweet accord, Answered, 'The names of
those who love the Lord.' 'And is mine one?' said
Abou. 'Nay, not so,' Replied the angel. Abou spoke more low, But cheerly still; and said,
‘I pray thee then, Write me as one that loves his fellow-men.' The angel wrote, and
vanished. The next night It came again with a great
wakening light, And showed the names whom
love of God had blessed, And lo! Ben Adhem's name led all the rest. |